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My New Adopted Granddaughter
Her name is Hadassah. Look at that sweet face… wouldn't you have adopted her? Photo by Marco Koch The Koch family, who I wrote about in an earlier blog post, were visiting from Switzerland for nine days. The second day into the visit, I asked Hadassah, who is five, if I may adopt her as…
Read MoreWhen Amish become Martyrs
I felt compelled recently to writing an article about an issue that has arisen between a local law in Auburn, Kentucky and a group of Swartzentruber Amish. Two Amish men Amos Mast, and his son, have been arrested for not placing collection devices on their horses. They have refused to pay the fine, and now…
Read MoreA Tribute to Special Vermonter and his Family
Yesterday David and I drove up to Essesx Junction, Vermont for Leo Lalancette's 90th. birthday party. Those who have read Bonnet Strings, know about the family who "adopted" me when I had first left home and thought I wouldn't have anyone to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with. It turns out I did. The Lalancettes welcomed…
Read MoreGiveaway of “Bonnet Strings” at Amish Wisdom
I was invited to write a blog post for Amish Wisdom, which was published today. I hope you click on over to read the post and sign up for a free signed copy of Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman's Ties to Two Worlds. I will write a regular post next week — I promise! Right…
Read MoreA New Life Venture
Ever since I undertook an exciting new project, starting in January, I've been trying to find a good time to reveal this endeavor to you, my dear readers. On this Sunday evening, as spring is about to burst forth with blooms here in Western Massachusetts, I feel that time has arrived. I am applying for…
Read MoreAt the Intersection of Two Cultures
I became familiar with the ways of the Amish in Huevelton, New York, when Anna lived with us. So when I read the report about legislators attempting to force the Amish to display the orange triangle on their buggies. I groaned inwardly becasue I knew that this strategy will not work. So I wrote up…
Read MoreHappy Spring!
Spring has finally arrived here in the Pioneer Valley. Hooray! I"ve begun my spring yard work — trimming bushes and picking up branches that came off our birch tree during the windy winter. The next step is raking, but it's far too windy for that today. So, I sit here with my window open, breathing…
Read MoreThis and That on Tuesday
I'd like to open this post with gratitude to all of you for visiting my blog and website so loyally. At the end of March, the count on my blog and website turned over to 1,000,000 visits. Last year in early February, just before the PBS film, "The Amish: Shunned" aired on American Experience, that…
Read MorePrayers for Jolina Petersheim and Family
I have a fellow writer friend, named Jolina Petersheim, who has written two books, The Outcast and The Midwife. She writes beautifully, she is young and attractive, she has a loving husband and two little girls — a toddler and a baby. Her faith is evident in everything she writes. Jolina's life was the kind…
Read MoreHealing Thoughts
Our older son, Paul's best friend is named Ben. They have known one another since they were in Kindergarten. Ben became like a third son to David and me, and Paul became a second son to Ben's parents. Growing up, Paul and Ben were inseparable. Ben and Paul were names that just slid off our…
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